Joyce told the Australian media: “We’ve been talking to Airbus and Rolls-Royce and we understand that the number [of engines to be replaced] is around 40. We’ve already replaced three and there could be more.”

The grounded A380s by Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa are now back in service after satisfactory safety checks. Singapore Airlines said it has replaced three engines and Lufthansa one but emphasised this was not connected to the Qantas incident.